Switch-containing cigar lighter element



A ril 24, 1934. 1.. LUDWIG SWITCH CONTAINING CIGAR LIGHTER ELEMENT Filed Aug. 22, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l ZOU/S L udwl INVENTOR A T TOR NE Y April 24, 1934. L. LUDWIG 1,956,240

SWITCH CONTAINING CIGAR LIGHTER ELEMENT Filed Aug. 22. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Ol/IS A L/O m/ I? INVENTOR A TTORNE Y Patented Apr. 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis Ludwig,

Application August 22,

2 Claims.

The invention relates to resistance elements for use in cigar lighters. It has for its main object to provide a cigar lighter element containing wholly within itself an automatic switch mechanism which will close the current when the holder in which the element is employed is tilted, as when lighting a cigar or cigarette, and which will break the current when the holder is returned to its normal position. Another object is to construct the switch mechanism in such a manner that the switch will remain open should the holder in which the element is contained accidentally be upset or turned over, thus removing the danger of a fire being caused by the heat from the element. A further object is to so construct the element that it will not differ in its outer contour from the elements now in use, so that it may be used in any holder in which the old elements are now used. A still further object is to provide an element of strong and simple construction which can be manufactured at a cost but slightly greater than that at which the ordinary element is now being manufactured.

These and various other objects and advantages will be readily understood from the following description and from the accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which, however, modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the element,

Fig. 2 a cross-sectional side elevation shown with the switch open,

Fig. 3 another cross-sectional side elevation shown with the switch closed,

Fig. 4 still another cross-sectional side elevation of the element shown in a different position and with the switch open,

Fig. 5 a bottom view of the element shown in Figs. 1 to 4,

Fig. 6 a side elevation of a modified element,

Fig. 7 a cross-sectional side elevation of Fig. 6 shown with the switch open, and

Fig. 8 a bottom view of same.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, the element consists of a body member made of refractory material and formed with a large interior recess 10. The body member is formed of two parts 11 and 12 which are externally threaded. The parts are tongued and grooved and held together by a threaded metal ferrule 13. The part 11 contains the regular, spiral-shaped groove 14 in which the resistance coil 15 is located. A perforated mica disc 16 covers the groove and is held in place by a rim 17.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

1931, Serial No. 558,729

A cup-shaped, metal contact 18 is inserted in the recess formed in the part 11 and is electrically connected to one end of the resistance coil by a rivet 19. The other end of the coil is electrically connected to the metal ferrule 13 by a bolt 20 and nut 21. The body parts are held firmly together by the metal ferrule and this bolt and nut. A concave, metal contact 22 is secured in the bottom of the recess formed in part 12 by a bolt 23 and a nut 24. A metal ball 25 is contained in the recess.

The element is adapted for use in a cigar lighter maintained normally in an upright position, as for example standing on a table or the like. In the position shown in Fig. 2 the ball rests in the concave contact 22 and the switch is open so that no current can flow through the resistance coil. When the cigar lighter is tilted to a position as shown in Fig. 3, which is the convenient position for lighting a cigar, the ball contacts with the wall of the cup-shaped contact 18 and the current may now flow through bolt 23, concave contact 22, ball 25, cup-shaped contact 18, rivet l9, resistance coil 15, bolt 20 and ferrule 13. It is understood that the ferrule 13 and the bolt 23 contact with the socket in which it is inserted in the regular manner.

When the cigar lighter is returned to its normal position the ball rolls back in the concave contact and the circuit is broken. There is always a danger that an upright type cigar lighter with an automatic switch may be upset and cause the circuit to close, which might cause a serious fire. The present construction effectively prevents any such accidents. If the cigar lighter is turned over so that the element assumes the position shown in Fig. 4, or any position between this and one in which the axis of the element would be horizontal, the ball will disengage the concave contact and roll into the cup-shaped contact, thus breaking the current.

Some holders for cigar lighter elements are made without a threaded socket, the element is merely forced into a hole in the holder. To adapt the present element to such holders the spring 26, shown in Figs. 2 and 5, is provided. This spring, which is attached to the bolt 23 by an extra nut 27, is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening in the holder so that it will assume a slight curve when inserted, as shown in Fig. 2 in which View the dotted lines 28 indicate a part of a holder. While I prefer to furnish the element with a threaded ferrule, even when the spring is used, so that it may serve a dual purpose, it is evident that a plain ferrule may be used, or the ferrule may be dispensed with and additional screws used for clamping the body parts together. When the spring is used, or when no ferrule is employed, the electric wires are connected under the nuts 21 and 27.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, prongs 29 and 30 are substituted for the ferrule 13 and the center contact 23. In this case the prong 29 is connected with the concave contact and the prong 30 with the bolt 20. In addition to the bolt 20 a bolt 31 is employed to clamp the body parts together. All other parts are numbered as in Figs. 1 to 5. The modified element operates similarly to the element just described.

It is evident that an element may be constructed in a similar manner for use in a socalled bayonet socket.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and wish to protect by Letters Patent l. A cigar lighter element comprising an insulating and heat-resisting body member made in two parts, one of said parts containing a resistance coil in its outer face and having a recess wherein is contained a cup-shaped metal contact member electrically connected with one end of said resistance coil by means or" a screw which also clamps the contact member in place, the other body part containing a recess in which is secured a concave metal contact member secured to a threaded stud passing through a hole in the body member and which clamps the member in place and also acts as one terminal of the element, the body parts externally threaded, a metal ferrule secured on said thread and clamping the body parts together, said metal ferrule constituting the second terminal of the element electrically connected with the other end of said resistance coil by means of a screw which also prevents rotation of the ferrule, and an unattached metal ball contained within the chamber formed by the recess for making or breaking contact with said contact members when the element is tilted from or returned to its normal position.

2. A cigar lighter element comprising lating and heat-resisting body member made or" two parts, one of said parts containing a resistance coil in its outer face and having a recess wherein is contained a cup-shaped metal contact member electrically connected to the one end of said resistance coil by means of a screw which also clamps the contact member in place, the other body part containing a recess in which secured a metal contact member provided with a prong extending beyond the body part and forming one terminal of the device, another metal prong secured to the body member and electrlcally connected to the other end of the resistance coils and forming the second terminal, means for clamping the body parts togeth r, one of said means constituting the connection between one end of the resistance coil and one of the prongs, and a free-moving metal ball contained within the chamber formed by the recesses for making or breaking contact with said contact members when the element is tilted from or returned to its normal position.

an insu- LOUIS LUDVVIG. 

